Table of Contents
- 1 What does osteosarcoma pain feel like?
- 2 Where does osteosarcoma usually start?
- 3 Does osteosarcoma show up on xray?
- 4 Does osteosarcoma hurt to touch?
- 5 Why is osteosarcoma pain worse at night?
- 6 What is the most common age for females to be diagnosed with osteosarcoma?
- 7 How is osteosarcoma diagnosed?
- 8 What are some bone cancer symptoms in women?
What does osteosarcoma pain feel like?
An osteosarcoma tumor may cause a dull aching pain in the bone or joint around the tumor. Often, there is a firm swelling or lump in the area of the pain. This swelling is caused by the tumor growing inside the bone. If the cancer is in a leg bone, the person may limp.
Where does osteosarcoma usually start?
In children, teens, and young adults, osteosarcoma usually starts in areas where the bone is growing quickly, such as near the ends of the leg or arm bones: Most tumors develop in the bones around the knee, either in the lower part of the thigh bone (distal femur) or the upper part of the shinbone (proximal tibia).
What is the main cause of osteosarcoma?
The exact cause of osteosarcoma is not known, but it is believed to be due to DNA mutations inside bone cells—either inherited or acquired after birth.
What are the early warning signs of bone cancer?
Signs and symptoms of bone cancer include:
- Bone pain.
- Swelling and tenderness near the affected area.
- Weakened bone, leading to fracture.
- Fatigue.
- Unintended weight loss.
Does osteosarcoma show up on xray?
The doctor will take an x-ray of the area where there is a lump or swelling. Osteosarcoma usually shows certain common features on an x-ray. Its appearance on an x-ray can lead to suspicion that an osteosarcoma may be present. Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan.
Does osteosarcoma hurt to touch?
Osteosarcomas can cause pain. If there are tumors in the bones of your arm, for example, it may be painful to lift things. If the tumors are in the bones of your legs, it may cause limping. However, osteosarcomas can also be painless.
Who is at risk for osteosarcoma?
The risk of osteosarcoma is highest for those between the ages of 10 and 30, especially during the teenage growth spurt. This suggests there may be a link between rapid bone growth and risk of tumor formation. The risk goes down in middle age, but rises again in older adults (usually over the age of 60).
Is osteosarcoma hard or soft?
Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that begins in the cells that form bones. Osteosarcoma is most often found in the long bones — more often the legs, but sometimes the arms — but it can start in any bone. In very rare instances, it occurs in soft tissue outside the bone.
Why is osteosarcoma pain worse at night?
This is what happens during the day. During the night, there is a drop in the stress hormone cortisol which has an anti-inflammatory response. There is less inflammation, less healing, so the damage to bone due to the above conditions accelerates in the night, with pain as the side-effect.
What is the most common age for females to be diagnosed with osteosarcoma?
Most osteosarcomas occur in children, teens, and young adults between the ages of 10 and 30. Teens are the most commonly affected age group, but people of any age can develop osteosarcoma. About 1 in 10 osteosarcomas occur in people older than 60.
What are the symptoms of bone cancer in the leg?
Pain in the affected bone is the most common sign of bone cancer. At first, the pain is not constant. It may be worse at night or when the bone is used, for instance, leg pain when walking. As the cancer grows, the pain will be there all the time, and get worse with activity. Swelling in the area of the pain may not occur until weeks later.
What are the signs of bone cancer in the knee?
Signs and symptoms of bone cancer include: Bone pain. Swelling and tenderness near the affected area. Weakened bone, leading to fracture. Fatigue. Unintended weight loss.
How is osteosarcoma diagnosed?
Medical history and physical exam. If a person has signs or symptoms that suggest they might have a tumor in or around a bone,the doctor will want to take
What are some bone cancer symptoms in women?
Pain. Bone cancer pain usually is a dull pain that begins gradually.